Teenager Caolan McCormick was described as someone who was full of life and spirit, someone who feared nothing, at his funeral service in north Belfast.
The 18-year-old, who died last Tuesday following a collision involving his motorcycle and a car on the Antrim Road, was remembered for his many achievements in such a short life.
He was a medal-winning martial arts practitioner who loved living life outdoors, on his dirt bike over mountains and through rivers, on boats, hiking, camping, wind surfing and jet skiing, Fr Paul Morely told the congregation at St Thérèse of Lisieux Church.
“He never sat down, he was an outdoor person,” said the priest.
“He was a free spirit.”
Hundreds gathered in the church on the Somerton Road as well as online to pay their respects to the young man, with his dirt bike boots, MMA sparring gloves, medals and the keys to his Mercedes car brought to the altar to mark the passions of his life.
The former St Malachy’s College student, who worked various jobs at Blacks Wines and Spar and the Royal Mail, was intent on pursuing a role as an electrician and wanted the freedom of running his own business, Fr Morely said.
“He had a contagious laugh, perfectly blue eyes and a beaming smile,” said Fr Morely, who while now at St Bernadette’s Parish was for a long time at Holy Family where he developed a close relationship with his family.
The priest urged Caolan’s friends to remember the good times and “of course your disagreements”.
“He would not have wanted it any different. He also had a great sense of fashion, which none of them shared,” Fr Morely said of Caolan to laughter among the congregation.
Addressing the teenager’s family, Fr Morely said “the pain of losing a family too young....is not easy to put in words. There is profound ache that lingers in the heart, nights without sleep.”
When he was fatally injured, Caolan was on his bike following his passion, but it was a tragedy that brought pain, said Fr Morely, adding that the family “should not despair, not lose hope”.
Fr Morely cited the funeral notice, which described “time with us was too short but his impact was immeasurable”.
Cáolan is survived by his siblings Naoise, Tiarnan and Siofra, his parents Jim and Orla, grandparents and extended family.
Following the requiem mass, Caolan was buried in Crumlin Cemetery.
He was one of three people who died over the last seven days following road accidents.
Lydia Ross (21) from Ballymoney died in hospital after being seriously injured in a crash on the Curragh Road area of Aghadowey on Thursday.
On Friday, pedestrian Joe Rooney (45) from the Mayobridge area in Co Down also died after an early morning collision involving a grey Audi A4 on the Hilltown Road.